S peters co



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 1.

0'. H. LEGGET T. POWDER DISTRIBUTER.

No. 535,113 Patented Mar. 5, 1895.

(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. O. H. LEGGETT.

POWDER DISTRIBUTER. No. 535,113. Patented M a1n5,1895. i

WITNESSES; INVENTOR: 5 Q 6mm Z 5 $3 M By his A/zowzeys,

CLINTON II. LEGGETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

POWDER-DISTRIBUTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,113, dated March 5, 1895. Application filed September 4, 1894. Serial No. 522,012- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLINTON H. LEGGETT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Powder-Distributors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to powder distributersand like articles of the class known as powder guns used for spraying powder on plants to exterminate insects, and for like agricultural purposes. Examples of such guns are shown in my United States Patents-No. 376,000, dated January 17, 1888; No. 421,912, dated February 25, 1890; No. 511,781, dated January 2, 1894; and No. 519,720, dated May 15, 1894..

The present invention aims to provide certain improvements in powder guns generally, but which are especially applicable to guns of the character shownin my said patents.

In carrying out the present invention I provide an improved supporter enabling support of the gun from the shoulder of the user, certain improvements in the powder reservoir, an improved agitator, improvements in the gearing for operating the gun, and an improved construction of spout, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate certain adaptations of the invention, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a powder gun, partly in vertical mid section, the barrel being broken away and the spout shown in elevation, embodying the preferred form of my improvements. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View thereof, partly in horizontal section through the reservoir. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section through the reservoir showing the agitator in side elevation. Fig. 4. is a perspective view of one of the agitator blades. Fig. 5 is an under side plan of the spout. Fig. 6 isa cross section thereof. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a modification. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a modified construction of agitator; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged face view of one of the blades thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive I will first describe the preferred construction therein shown.

LetA indicate the fan or blower; B, the barrel leading therefrom; O, the reservoir mounted on the barrel; D, the spout; E, the driving gear for operating the gun; F, the usual body belt for supporting the fan end of the gun; G, my improved shoulder supporter for the gun; H, the usual Valve for the reservoir; I, my improved agitator, and J my improved auxiliary reservoir.

According to one feature of my improvement I construct the driving gear E to be operated at differential speeds, preferably accomplishing this by providing it with different handles K and L, the one located near the fan, and the other on or near the reservoir, and connected together so that the operation of either will effect the driving of the fan and the movement of the agitator. Preferably the handles are each connected to a sprocket Wheel, the handle K to a small Wheel M, and the handle L to a larger wheel N, the latter mounted onthe shaft Z of the agitator, and a chain P is provided connecting these wheels so that the motion of either is communicated to the other. The wheel M is fixed to the usual gear a, which meshes with the pinion b of the gear 0, which latter meshes with the pinion d on the shaft of the fan for driving the latter. In this way when the handle K is rotated the fan is driven at the normal speed and the agitator is rotated at a speed lower than the speed of rotation of the handle K. If it is desired to rotate the agitator at the normal speed of rotation of the handle and drive the fan at a greater speed the operator uses the handle L, whereby the speed is multiplied as the motion is transmitted through the wheel N and chain P to the wheel M.

As thus far described the driving gear is adapted to a rotating agitator provided by my present invention, but as there are contingencies under which an oscillatory agitator is most desirable, my invention comprises a separable link or equivalent provision Q, between the stud e of the crank handle K and the stud f of the crank handle L, which link is applied to the studs when theagitator is to be oscillated, and serves to convert the rotary motion of the stud e into oscillatory motion at the stud f. In such contingency of course the chain P is removed and then the apparatus is reduced to one having only one driving point or handle K. The link Q is suitably IOC constructed to be easily separable from one or both of the studs. That shown consists of a wire rod having hooked ends 9 fitting over the studs and slightly yielding as they pass over them to en gage sufficient of their circumference to prevent accidental disengagement in use. The link is shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2.

According to another feature of improvement, I construct the agitator I as a rotating part, preferably a fiat sheet metal plate or disk, having lateral peripheral blades, the plate being lettered h, and the blades 11, and I provide certain improvements in the structural details of the agitator. The disk h is a vertical circular plate having perforationsj for reducing its weight and converting it into a skeleton structure, having the usual stirrer arms is and mounted on a horizontal cross shaft Z, to which it is fixed by means of two angle pieces m which are riveted to opposite sides of the plate and which have horizontal portions embracing the side of the shaft and soldered thereto. To insure against displacement and add further security to this fastening the shaft Z has a cross perforation adjacent to the plate at one or both sides of the lat.- ter andapin p isinserted in each perforation close to the plate, after which the solder is poured over the pin, locking the latter in place. In this manner should the solder give way between the shaft and angle pieces, the pin would prevent slipping or rotation of the plate on the shaft. This makes a very substantial joint.

The bottom of the reservoir is usually constructed of a slotted semi-circular plate q, and

the valve H of a similarly slotted and curved plate 0", which is moved relatively to the plate 1 by a thumb not B and a valve rod S, or in any other usual or suitable manner, to control the discharge of powder from the reservoir into the barrel B of the gun. Difficulty in agitating the powder over the face of the plate q is experienced, and my invention aims to avoid this by providing an improved agitator blade. This is preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 4:, wherein the blade 2' consists of a cross piece 3 and leather or other flexible brushes t. The piece 8 is preferably a short sheet metal piece having a central notch a fitting over the edge of the plate h, and perforated at each side of this notch for the passage of the rivets used for fastening the brushes in place. The middle of the plate is of much greater width than its ends on its inner edge, but its outer edge is preferably rectilinear and parallel with the axis of movement of the agitator. The outer edge projects from such axis toward the bottom plate (1 to such extent that the space remaining between the two is slightly less than the projection of the brushes beyond the edge of the cross piece. Hence the brushes are always in contact with the plate and slightly deflected by contact therewith. The cross piece 3 is soldered to the plate h where the latter enters the slot or notch o. The brushes fare of less width than half the length of the cross piece 8, and are applied to opposite sides thereof, so that one brush faces one way and the other the other way, whereby one acts during the movement of the blade in one direction, and the other during the opposite movement. Great advantage results from the employment of these flexible blades, as they insure proper stirring of the powder, keep the valve surfaces wiped clean, and yield in case any lump or obstacle of a hard nature is encountered. By reversing them as shown the agitator can be rotated in'either direction or can be oscillated.

Another feature of improvement consists in constructing the reservoir in two or more reciprocal parts, whereby its capacity can be increased or diminished in conformity with the quantity of powder to be blown. Some powders aredistributed more liberally or feed faster than others, and in such cases it is possible, according to my invention, to increase the capacity of the reservoir to meet the increased quantity of powder required by the gun. In this respect I construct the reservoirO with the usual funnel shaped and screw threaded mouth piece it, and I provide the auxiliary reservoir J with a tapering outlet w having a screw threaded end fitting the screw thread in the mouth 10, the outlet of the vessel J, and the mouth of the vessel 0, being reciprocally adapted for connection together in such manner that the former will be supported on the latter and the contents of the one may flow freely into the other. To this end the bottom of the can J is open. The top of the can J is constructed with a mouth piece identical with the mouth to of the vessel 0, so that another can like J can be applied to this month pieceif three cans are required. A cap T is provided for closing the reservoir, which cap is constructed to fit the screw thread of the mouth u of the lower can O,or the mouth mof the upper can J. In Fig. l the can J is shown in section applied to the vessel 0 and carrying the cap T, and in Fig. 3 the vessel 0 is shown alone and closed by the cap T.

To avoid the labor of supporting the forward part of the gun in the hand my invention provides an improved support, which may be used either alone or in connection with the usual waist support F now employed at the butt of the gun. In its preferred form the improved support consists of a strap or equivalent provision G having a loop y adapted to go around the neck or shoulder of the person carrying the gun, and having a hook e, or equivalent fastening for attachment to the reservoir or other forward part of the gun. As shown a cleat U is provided at the top and rear of the reservoir Cand the hook ,2 has an elongated crook engaging this cleat. Preferably the strap is adjustable to raise or lower the gun, and this is accomplished in the construction shown by providing the body of the strap with a plurality of perforations W and the end of the strap with a hook X engaging any one of these perforations according. to the adjustment desired. I also provide a hand loopY or equivalent part to be grasped by the hand of the user when it is desired to apply or adjust the strap, or temporarily guideor shift the gun, or relieve the shoulders of part of the weight of thelatter. The loop Y is shown as an additional strap sewed to the outer end of the strap G.

My improved spout consists of an outwardly convex and inwardly concave segment of a cylinder in the form of a thin sheet metal shell A having a curved rear edge B and an inclined front edge 0, and closed at its front by a sheet metal cross piece D, which is likewise exteriorly convex, and traverses entirely across the end of the cavity at the inner side of the shell with a downward and outward inclination. soldered to the top rear inner side of the shell is a short pipe E which fits over the outer end of the barrel B. Embracing and soldered to this is a transverse strap F, the ends of which are soldered to the inner face of the shell. \Vith this construction of spout the discharge through the'pipe E expands within the shell and is (lirected laterally in a large and comparatively slowly moving body, whereby the discharge is easily spread over a plant, and the speed of the blast is reduced sufficiently to avoid blowing the powder off the leaves on which it has lodged.

In operation the driving gear is adjusted to provide for either a rotary or oscillatory agitator, the reservoir is adapted for the character and quantity of the powder to be used, the support G is passed over the users neck and shoulder,hooked to the gun and adjusted in length to give the desired position for the spout end of the gun, whereupon the operator by grasping and rotating one of the handles K L will drive the fan and move the agitator as discharge from the gun is required. From time to time the valve H will be shifted to control the feed of powder. When circumstances render it necessary or desirable, the gearing will be adjusted to vary the relative opeeds of the fan and the agitator, or to shange the character of motion of the latter. To adjust the support G its handle portion Y will be grasped and the weight of the gun sustained through this portion by the left hand of the operator while the right hand shifts the hook X. When the discharge from the spout is to be in horizontal direction the spout will be rotated to bring its open side to the right or the left. In some cases an upward discharge is required, to provide for which the spout may be turned with its open side upward. For this adjustment the pipe E is made to adjustably or rotatively engage the end of the barrel B.

It will be seen that my invention provides an improved powder gun of simple constructionwhich will be efficient in operation easy of adjustment to the conditions of use, and can be employed with the minimum of fatigue and exertion.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular details of construction and arrangement set forth as constit-uting its preferred form, and that it may be availed of according to such modification as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art may dictate, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Fig. 7 shows one such modification, in which the gearing, lettered E is much simplified and consists of a sprocket pinion d on the shaft of the fan A, a sprocket wheel N on the shaft Z of the agitator Lasprocket chain T between these parts, and but one crank handle L fixed to the wheel N. The agitator I is a rotary agitator constructed with the improvements identically as described with reference to Figs.

1 to 4, but in this instance it has only the ro-. tary motion. 'With this construction the fan is driven at a great speed and .the driving mechanism consists essentially of but three parts.

Another modification employed in this in stance is in the support for the forward part of the can. This support here consists solely of the handle portion or loop here lettered Y.

Another modification is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein theimprovements in the agitator blades are shown as adapted for an agitator having only an oscillatory motion. I represents such an agitator, and 1' my improved blades therefor. YVith this construe-- tion the central blade '0' is identical with that shown in Fig. 4:, while the side blades lettered z" are constructed as shown in Fig. 9, of a plate 5 having a central notch 12 fitting over the segmental plate h of the agitator, a leather or flexible brush 25' on one side only, a slightly raised bottom edge on the side to which the brush is applied, and a relatively lower bottom edge a on its other side. The brush t on one blade is at the opposite side and on the opposite face to the same brush on the other blade for the two outside blades of the agitator. The lower edges u of these blades sweep close to but not in contact with the valve surface of the reservoir.

Another advantage incident to my improved spout is that the broad curved back of the spout, which in use is turned toward the wind when the latter is strong, serves'as a shield and deflector for the protection of the blast of powder until the powder has become firmly deposited on the plant, after which there is little likelihood of its being dislodged by the action of the wind when the spout has been moved. Heretofore much of the powder blown at the plants has been wafted away. by the wind before becoming properly lodged.

that I claim is- 1. In a powder distributor, or like apparatus, the combination with a blower, a barrel, a powder reservoir, and an agitator, of driving gear for operating said blower and agitator consisting of a crank handle on the shaft of said agitator, a sprocket wheel driven by said handle, a sprocket chain driven by said wheel, and a second sprocket wheel driving the blower and driven by said chain.

2. In a powder distributor or like article, a blower, and powder reservoir, in combination with an agitatorin said reservoir, and driving mechanism for said blower, said mechanism operating said agitator and adjustable to either rotate or oscillate the latter.

3. In a powder distributer orlike article, the blower and powder reservoir, in combination with a rotary agitator, and driving mechanism for said blower and agitator consisting of the crank handle K, sprocket wheel M and gearing a b c d driven thereby, the agitator shaft Z, the sprocket wheel N, and a sprocket chain P driven by said wheel M and driving said wheel N.

4. In a powder distributer or like article, a blower powder reservoir and agitator, in combination with driving mechanism for said blower and agitator, consisting of a crank handle K, a sprocket wheel M driven thereby, gearing between said handle and blower for driving the latter, a sprocket wheel N on a shaft of the agitator, a sprocket chain P between said sprocket wheels driving the latter from the former, a stud 6 connected to said handle K, and a stud f connected to said wheel N, and a detachable pitman Q, adapted to engage said stud, said pitman oscillating said agitator when connected to said stud during rotation of said handle and when said chain is removed, and said chain rotating said agitator during operation of said handle when said pitman is removed.

5. Inapowderdistributerorlike article, the blower and reservoir, in combination with the driving mechanism for said blower, consisting of a crank handle K, spur wheel M and gearing a b c d, a rotary agitator I, a shaft Z therefor, a spur wheel N and a crank handle L connected to said shaft and a sprocket chain P between said wheels M and N, whereby said apparatus can be operated by either of said handles.

6. In a powder distributer, areservoir consisting of a fixed receptacle 0 having a mouth it at top, in combination with an auxiliary receptacle J, having an open discharge outlet at bottom fitting and engaging said month and a mouth a; at top corresponding to said mouth u, and a cap T fitting and closing the mouth of either of said receptacles, substantially as set forth.

7. In a powderdistributer, an agitator blade consisting of a cross piece 3, and a flexible brush 25 carried thereby.

8. In a powder distributer an agitator, and a blade therefor consisting of a cross piece .9 and two flexible brushes t carried thereby at opposite sides thereof.

9. In a powder distributer, an agitator consisting of a disk h, angle pieces m fixed thereto, a shaft Z having cross holes, pins 19 in said holes in the plane of said angle pieces, and peripheral blades 2', as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a powderdistributer, a spoutD, consisting of a curved shell A, consisting of a segment of a cylinder having an end piece D, and a pipe E, open at one side, closed at its other side and end, and rotatively connected to the barrel of the distributer, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLINTON H. LEGGE'IT.

Witnesses:

GEORGE I-I. FRASER, CHARLES K. FRASER. 

